Learn how the superyacht industry works
Introduction to Superyachts & Yachting Life (Unit 23)
IAMI GUEST Accredited Online Course
A beginner-friendly online course explaining crew roles, expectations, and how to start your yachting career the right way.
✔ IAMI GUEST accredited
✔ 16 hours online learning
✔ Certificate included
✔ Free Yacht Career Guidance session with me
EXCLUSIVE YACHT STEW GUIDE BONUS
Enrol through Yacht Stew Guide and get a free 45-minute 1:1 session with me
This is separate from the online course and is offered by me when you enrol through Yacht Stew Guide.
You’ll receive a free 45-minute Yacht Career Guidance session with me.
I’m a working yacht stew and have been in the industry since 2006, and I help crew on the interior side of the industry — whether you’re preparing for your first job or working towards your next role onboard.
In your session we can talk about:
- choosing the right yacht program
- how to approach dock walking
- interview preparation
- what captains actually look for
What you'll learn in this course
Module 1 —
Demographics of the Yachting Industry
- How the superyacht industry works
- Types of yachts & life onboard
- Dock walking, daywork & crew agents
- Salary expectations & contracts
Module 2 —
Different Departments & Career Paths
- Interior, deck, engineering & galley roles
- Career pathways in each department
- Chain of command & hierarchy
- Communication onboard
Module 3 —
Expected Standards of Behaviour & Personal Presentation
- Professional behaviour & attitude
- Personal presentation standards
- Etiquette & courtesy onboard
- Respect, humility & work ethic
Module 4 —
Communication Styles
- Verbal & written communication
- Body language & first impressions
- Greeting owners and guests
- Cultural communication differences
Module 5 —
Different Cultures & Customs
- Cultural awareness onboard
- Customs & etiquette with guests
- Religions & global cultures
- Titles, forms of address & protocol
Module 6 —
Health, Safety & Security Onboard
- International maritime regulations
- SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL & MLC basics
- Health & safety procedures
- Crew safety & onboard security
How it works
It’s simple — here’s what happens:
Step 1:
Enrol in the course
Click any of the Start the course buttons on this page to go to the Seas the Day Training booking and payment page and enrol in the course.
Step 2:
Join the live Q&A
After completing the course, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a Q&A session with course creator Sarah Diggle-Whitlock, where you can ask questions about what you’ve learned and the yachting industry.
Step 3:
Book your Yacht Career Guidance session
When you enrol through Yacht Stew Guide, you’ll also receive a free 45-minute Yacht Career Guidance session with me — where we can talk through your next steps in the industry, from training options to preparing for your first job.
You can book your session using the link in your confirmation email and choose a time that works for you. While you don’t need to complete the course first, many people find the session more useful after working through the modules.
This session is included at no extra cost when you enrol through this page.
Why this course helps you get hired
Many new recruits start out in yachting without understanding how the industry works.
This course helps you understand the basics captains and recruiters expect new crew to already know, including:
- understanding crew hierarchy
- knowing what captains expect
- avoiding common beginner mistakes
showing initiative to recruiters and captains
Why I recommend this course
I’ve worked onboard yachts since 2006 and have been involved in hiring new interior crew.
One of the biggest differences between candidates is whether they already understand how the industry works.
When someone has completed this course, it shows:
- initiative
- professionalism
- preparation
And that immediately stands out on a CV.
– Leanne, Founder of Yacht Stew Guide
Industry recognised and accredited
This is the only IAMI GUEST–accredited introductory course available online, delivered by Seas the Day Training and widely recognised within the superyacht industry as a structured starting point.
The IAMI GUEST program was developed specifically for yacht crew and sets recognised professional standards across the superyacht industry.
Provider: Seas the Day Training
Accreditation: IAMI GUEST
Format: fully online, self-paced
Duration: approximately 16 hours
Level: beginner
Certificate: included upon completion
Widely recommended as a first step for those entering the superyacht industry.
What students say about the course
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I felt much more confident starting my first job."
"I felt much more confident starting my first job."
Sascha
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"For an introductory course, it delivers far more than expected and gives you a real confidence boost."
"For an introductory course, it delivers far more than expected and gives you a real confidence boost."
Daniel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"This course opened my eyes to how the industry works."
"This course opened my eyes to how the industry works."
Tai
Questions about the course
Yes. The course is designed to help people understand the industry before committing further — whether you’re completely new, changing careers, or exploring onboard or shore-based roles within the yachting industry.
It’s widely regarded as a strong starting point for anyone considering a career in yachting, as it covers industry standards, expectations, and what life onboard is really like. While STCW Basic Safety Training focuses on safety and survival, this course fills the knowledge gap around how the industry actually operates and helps you approach your first role more informed and better prepared.
No. STCW Basic Safety Training teaches essential safety and survival skills, but it doesn’t cover day-to-day life onboard, industry standards, or role expectations. Many people choose to complete this course first so they can make informed decisions before investing in further training.
STCW Basic Safety Training is essential and mandatory, but it focuses on safety and emergency response. It doesn’t cover the realities of working in the interior department, such as service standards, guest interaction, onboard hierarchy, or day-to-day expectations.
Interior roles are highly competitive, and crew are often assessed on professionalism, attitude, awareness, and how well they understand life onboard — not just their safety certificates. This course helps bridge that gap by giving you context around how yachts operate, what’s expected of interior crew, and how to conduct yourself professionally from day one.
Many interior crew find that understanding these expectations early helps them feel more confident, avoid common mistakes, and integrate more smoothly into a team once onboard.
Yes. The course is increasingly being recognised across the industry as a strong foundational introduction for new crew. Trainers, recruiters, managers, captains, and heads of department are seeing value in candidates who take the time to understand industry standards, onboard expectations, and professional conduct before stepping into their first role.
This is also why established training providers and industry partners now promote the course — it helps new crew arrive better informed, more realistic, and better prepared for life onboard.
No. The course covers all onboard departments and is suitable for anyone considering work in the yachting industry — whether onboard a yacht or in shore-based roles such as recruitment, agency, or yacht management.
The free 1:1 coaching session offered when you enrol through this page focuses specifically on interior roles.
No course can guarantee employment. What this course does is help you understand expectations, avoid common mistakes, and approach the industry in a more informed and professional way — which can make a real difference when starting out.
No course can guarantee a job, and this course isn’t a formal requirement. However, it can make a meaningful difference.
Each season, large numbers of new crew are competing for a relatively small number of entry-level positions. Completing this course shows that you’ve taken the time to understand industry standards, onboard expectations, and professional conduct before stepping into the role. That preparation can help you stand out and approach opportunities with more confidence and realism.
Rather than replacing experience, the course helps you start on a stronger footing — better informed, better prepared, and clearer about what’s expected of you.
When you enrol in the course through this page and complete it, I’ll be in touch to arrange your free one-to-one Yacht Career Guidance session. I’ll send you a simple booking link so you can choose a time that suits you.
It’s a 45-minute video chat where we talk through your situation and work out how to apply what you’ve learned.
We might cover things like:
• what size and type of superyacht you’re best suited for
• what chiefs and HODs actually expect from you
• what to expect from daywork and trial periods
• training options available to you
This session is included as a free bonus for those who enrol via this page, subject to availability at the time of booking.
Yes. The course is completed entirely online and can be done at your own pace, from anywhere.
Start your yachting career with the right foundation
Understanding how the industry works before you start gives you a real advantage.
Enrol in the course through Yacht Stew Guide and you’ll also receive a free private Yacht Career Guidance session with me, so you don’t have to figure out your first steps in the industry on your own.
£199 • Fully online • IAMI GUEST–accredited
Disclosure: If you choose to enrol through this page, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend training I trust and believe is genuinely helpful.